Still can't get over Boston yesterday, never seen anything like it.....just amazing!

Nice bit of jogging FBT, imagine how quick you could be if you didn't jog Hope the legs are feeling alright

As always an amazing weekend of training Joe, any reason you did the 4hours on the turbo, only ask as the weather was lovely on Sat

Solid last long/medium long runs from many

Only advice that I can really advise Charlotte is to enjoy it and go off slowly, so that it feels too slow or those lack of long runs will really bite come the end. Best of luck

After a lazy weekend, went out for a little over 6 miles yesterday morning, bought some new Adidas Supernova Sequence last week so gave them a spin, very comfy shoe! Knee alright. An easy 4 today but oddly pace was better than usual

AWC (and others)... regarding your comment that 2.59.59 may well not be enough to get in. I think it might be. I think it would be very helpful if VLM were to give some indications of what they think will happen because it will help people like you (and me) decide on how to approach their upcoming marathon.

I just did a really quick analysis of the male senior and male V50-54 age ranges at Manchester and, combined, there were 464 runners who met the old GFA times but 125 of them will fail to meet the new standards. So about 27%. I know that's a snapshot and also that it's not just as simple as that... but it's probably reasonable to say that about a quarter the current male GFA runners are going to lose their places.

I've read in a blog that there were 5000 GFA entries in 2016. Let's assume it's between that figure and the definitely known new (maximum) number of 6000. I don't know how many are currently male but if they were split in a ratio 2:1 men/women, then that's a maximum of 4000 men (probably fewer). And if we lose a quarter of those because of the new qualifying times, then we'll be under the 3000 limit and everyone who achieves a qualifying time can be accommodated.

Just thought I'd add my name to the list. Is it just me and Joe off the champs start? Does anyone know if Phil is still running? Haven't seen him on Strava for a while.

Joe - Is Katie running or is her knee still an issue?

I don't really mind the warm weather, not that I'd choose it. Now that I'm nowhere near PB fitness I'm not too worried about the time, which I think helps my feelings about it.

As for GFA, if there is a gender imbalance I think they should encourage more women to run, maybe make the women's GFA time a bit easier and the men's a bit harder but I don't think having strict quotas of men and women is the right way to go about it. I thought GFA was mostly about course management anyway, fitting more people on where there's space, but it doesn't sound like it anymore.

NE - That's an interesting analysis and yes, VLM should clear it up to help runners out.AWC - You are definately in sub 3:10 shape, you have had an amazing training block, but I know where you are coming from as it's tempting to try for sub 3 now GFA is no longer 3:05.

6 mile recovery yesterday and an 11 mile MLR today. Strange run today, felt tough for about 4 miles and was running closer to 9 min/miles, but then things got easier and last 5 miles were closer to 8 min miles!!

The forecast and the change in GFA has put a bit of a spanner in the works.i was hoping to be able to go easy on the calf and hopefully scrape a 3.14 if not feeling 100% to secure a couple more years.even if the calf is good a sub 3.05 could be an effort in the conditions. Will just have to hope that my time from last year will get me in next time (2:55 as a 39 yr old)Abingdon is looking like a better bet for my PB this year.

still going to enjoy the weekend. Should be nice drinking weather on the Sunday afternoon.

Another tip but probably well known anyway: take a small sponge if not already provided (tuck into shorts) for hand/face/neck wiping. I never do a hot race without one.

Looking at strava it is dress rehearsal time. Saw JohnOz made it to London ok.

A nice 6 miles for me yesterday evening - 8 of us out this week including one new guy. Dress rehearsal a bit later for me too.

I'm anxiously watching the forecast for Zurich as well - looking at 11 degrees at the start rising up to 20 by the time I'm hoping to be finished. Some very welcome clouds and not too much wind. The lake apparently has around 11 degrees at the moment - bit cold for a post run (or mid-mara?) dip.

Got my number through for Sunday - per mail - need to go and collect the real thing on Saturday - grrr. It is 3340. 3:34 is my PB - not sure if this is a good omen or not.. Am I allowed to change it to 3300? Suppose I could do it with a marker pen. The chip on the reverse wouldn't know anything about it.

As Hazel mentioned, made it here last night and did [email protected]:05 this morning around Hyde Park. Weather felt OK then but now it’s baking! Going to be a tough one this time on Sunday if it is like this.

Heading to the expo this afternoon to get it out of the way.

GFA changes seem pretty harsh with a triple whammy by ratcheting up the times, qualifying age and numbers allowed. Guess it reflects London’s popularity but they should have announced it much earlier so people could still adjust their training or expectations for Spring marathons.

Weather certainly hotting up, glad I'm not showing up for a PB attempt. I'm thinking even sub 3 might be a strain in the heat; my plan was to train right through so may have to rethink the pace strategy.

Out in Paris, and it's even hotter than out in London currently. Will get out for a run in the dreaded woods Macca mentioned in his report the other day.

HA - no Katie unfortunately, she's had to defer and is pretty devastated about the whole situation especially considering there's around 50 from our club running.